Paul Horrell

Paul Joseph Horrell, aged 90 years, son of Henry and Pauline (Halter) Horrell, was born June 7, 1936. For the past several weeks, Paul was surrounded by family, at the Lutheran Home-Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he passed, peacefully, on November 10, 2026.

On October 17, 1959, Paul and Rosemary Clara Essner were united in marriage at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church-New Hamburg, Missouri. Paul’s childhood, and young adult parish was Guardian Angel-Oran, Missouri. For almost sixty years he’s been a member of Saint Augustine Parish-Kelso, Missouri.

Paul is survived by Rosemary, and their children, Richard (Sherry) Horrell, Carol (Jon) Rhodes, Angela (Felix) Gumina, and Mary (Jamie Proctor) Horrell. He is also survived by six grandchildren, eight great-children, siblings Theon (Wilma) Horrell, Alice Gosche, and Martha Shepherd, and too many nieces, nephews, and in-laws to mention without fear of missing someone.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Teresa (George) Eftink, Lucille (Thomas) Ackman, Charles Horrell, Alma (Lawrence) Eftink, Loretta (Frank) Kolozy; and many other family members and in-laws too numerous to list.

Paul began working at age 10. Employers in the early years included George Eftink Farms; Verlin Jackson Heat, Plumbing and Electric; and his own business - Paul’s TV and Appliance Repair. In his spare time, he transported bodies for Oran Funeral Home, in Missouri and southern Illinois, and worked for Jerome Diebold Garage.

In 1959, Paul was drafted into the United States Army. Basic training was at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then stationed in Stuttgart, Germany for active duty. Paul spent a total of six years in the Army – 2 years active duty; 2 years active reserves; and 2 years inactive reserves.

In 1966, Paul began a 33-year career at Atlas Plastics – Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as an industrial electrician, retiring in 1999.

During his working years, Paul’s spare time was spent hunting rabbits and squirrels. After retirement, time was spent going to auctions with Rosemary; gardening; fixing anything anyone brought to him that was broken and tweaking anything that wasn’t; enjoying the company of grandchildren; and bullshitting with neighbors. During the retirement years, he also spent a lot of energy fighting seven rounds of five different cancers.

Many people have contributed to Paul’s full, and rewarding life – way too many to list, but near the end he would especially want to thank the nurses who cared for him at the Lutheran Home, all those who kept him in their prayers, Jim and Mike for keeping his lawn clean and mowed, and old buddy Lloyd for his words of encouragement.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 17, 4:00-8:00 pm, with parish prayers at 5:00, at Amick-Burnett Funeral Home-Scott City. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 18, with rosary at 9:30, and Mass at 10:00, at St. Augustine Catholic Church-Kelso, Missouri, with Father Tomasz Wilk officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine Catholic School, Kelso, MO- Building Fund; or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jackson, MO-Building Fund.